> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wu-zuoren-3 · updated 2026-11-02

# Wu Zuoren (1908–1997)

## What is Wu Zuoren’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,540 auction results for Wu Zuoren at 28 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,988 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,533–$12,959, n=77). The auction record is $513,544 for HOME FOR THE NEEDY (2009, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOME FOR THE NEEDY, 1958 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $513,544 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 2 | 雄鹰图, 1975 | 立轴 | $500,487 | Beijing Council | Jun 2015 |
| 3 | 大兴安岭, 1955 年 | 木板 油画 | $482,536 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Happiness Courtyard, 1958 | 立轴 设色纸本 | $481,076 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2025 |
| 5 | Peony, 1950 | 油彩 木板 | $374,905 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Apr 2024 |
| 6 | Seated Nude Woman, 1933年作 | 布面 油画 | $304,798 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Cranes, 1908 | Ink | $258,003 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | VARIOUS SUBJECTS, 1979 | Ink and colour on paper, album of eight leaves, framed | $249,485 | Sotheby's | Apr 2011 |
| 9 | Chung-Qing in Flame, 1940 | Oil paint | $221,068 | Christie's | Oct 2002 |
| 10 | 高原奔牦图, 1988年作 | 水墨纸本 | $209,664 | Beijing Hanhai Auction (北京翰海拍卖) | Jun 2016 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 65 | $19,423 |
| Paintings | 67 | $16,398 |
| Other | 177 | $12,234 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 24 | $16,264 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 136 | $13,498 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 53 | $13,422 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,540 results from 28 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Wu Zuoren is a Chinese artist with 1,953 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $13,941. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Wu Zuoren sold in 2026 for $15,259, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Wu Zuoren work worth?

Across 1,540 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wu Zuoren work is $13,941.

The median Wu Zuoren painting sells for $19,686 across 287 lots.

The median Wu Zuoren work on paper sells for $12,836 across 283 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren paintings typically sell for $13,041–$55,905 (the middle half of 104 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren work on papers typically sell for $4,921–$19,551 (the middle half of 96 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 333 | $19,686†‡ | $1.3M‡ | 86.2% | 2026-05-25 |
| Works on Paper | 331 | $12,836‡ | $513,544 | 85.5% | 2026-05-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 56 | $241,604†‡ | $1.3M‡ | — | 2025-07-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 63 | $8,454–$28,882‡ | $16,829‡ | $304,798 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 104 | $13,041–$55,905‡ | $25,942‡ | $1.1M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $8,203–$202,445‡ | $14,988‡ | $1.3M‡ |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $3,710–$13,291‡ | $6,192‡ | $51,898 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 96 | $4,921–$19,551‡ | $12,881‡ | $97,196‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $5,006–$53,415‡ | $14,329‡ | $262,438‡ |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $1.3M‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.1M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $513,544 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $262,438‡ |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Wu Zuoren worth?

Across 1,540 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wu Zuoren work is $13,941. The median Wu Zuoren painting sells for $19,686 across 287 lots. The median Wu Zuoren work on paper sells for $12,836 across 283 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren paintings typically sell for $13,041–$55,905 (the middle half of 104 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren work on papers typically sell for $4,921–$19,551 (the middle half of 96 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Wu Zuoren painting?

Based on 287 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wu Zuoren painting is $19,686. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Wu Zuoren's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wu Zuoren painting is $1,254,250. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Wu Zuoren work on paper?

Based on 283 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wu Zuoren work on paper is $12,836. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Wu Zuoren's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wu Zuoren work on paper is $513,544.

### What is the average price of a medium Wu Zuoren painting?

Based on 104 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wu Zuoren painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,942, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Wu Zuoren work on paper?

Based on 96 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wu Zuoren work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,881, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Wu Zuoren's auction record?

Wu Zuoren's auction record is $1,254,250, set in 2020. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Wu Zuoren auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wu-zuoren-3 (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.